What executive producers Andrew Kreisberg and Greg Berlanti have settled on here is a kind of family-friendly action-adventure show with a solid sense of humor about itself as well as a strong streak of sentiment about the things that really matter.

While the close-ups flirt with being a touch too comical, the longer-range and in-profile views of Barry's booking are quite electric and jibe with the series' overall feel, which is one of fun, fun, fun.

Right out of the gate, The Flash establishes itself as a very different kind of superhero drama. It manages to tell a more classically comic book-y story while still remaining true to the general tone and vibe of Arrow.